The PoPo of the Golf Course

Every once in a while, my entire foursome will be off their game. Sure, typically one or two of us will pretend we're Lewis & Clark on a wilderness surveying mission, but all four? That's a bit rare. But, it happens.

One of the consequences of this anomaly is the course ranger. I penned a post last year about how starters hate me. Well, sometimes the course rangers hate me too. Who are these officers of the links, mounted on their E-Z-GO steeds?

I'm well-aware of when my group is playing wretchedly. When the four of us have been poking around the edge of the woods, searching for where we "think" our balls should have ended up, I'll glance back at the tee and see the foursome behind us. They're standing there with their legs crossed; one hand on their hip; and the other on the club (which is supporting their body weight). From that posture alone, you know you're playing too slow.

And then it happens (much to chagrin of your foursome and the satisfaction of the one behind you) - The ranger arrives on the scene. Easily identified by the little red flag fluttering atop his cart, you can feel that pit in your stomach begin to churn. That little flag conjures up the same emotions as blue and red flashing lights in your rear-view mirror, doesn't it? Except this time you're doing the exact opposite of speeding.

"Guys, here comes the ranger. Just act cool and we'll be OK."

I quickly check on the group in front of us to see if I can blame them. Crap. Those speed demons have already teed-off on the next hole. By now, the ranger is pulling up alongside us. We try and act nonchalantly - as if we weren't playing slowly at all!

"You fellas need to pick up the pace. We've got a couple groups waiting on you back there."

Sheepishly, I respond: "Yeah, sorry sir (note the use of "sir" like "officer") we'll drop a ball and move on."

Then the ranger speeds away down the cart path to wrangle-in other slow play offenders. He let us off with a warning...this time.

I have never been kicked off a golf course (if you have, please tell us about it) but had the ranger tell us to get a move on a few times. And, I've played courses where they put you on the clock (one course in particular actually handed us a card that told us exactly what time we should be at each hole based on our starting time)!

Ah, such is life on the golf course and we golfers need to be aware of this. No one likes slow play - no one. The courses want to push as many groups through as possible; and golfers don't like waiting behind a group slower than themselves. So, there's people to enforce the law of the links - and they're called the rangers.

Most of these guys are retired, but don't let that fool you - they take their jobs very, very seriously! Heed thy warning: If you think your group is playing too slow, you probably are. Speed it up before the course cops usher you out!

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Why Do Non-golfers Play In Golf Tournaments?

Did you ever show up to one of your local golf tournaments and see this guy? Have you ever lined up for your first drive of the day but you blow it because you can't get the image of this guy's bowtie and knickers out of your head? Yeah, me too.

When I see this guy, I can't help but wonder to myself if he is either celebrating golf history, or if he's just an idiot trying to be funny. Does he just want to make people laugh? Did he lose a bet? Did someone tell him he had to dress this way as a prank? Is he a golf historian celebrating days gone by? Or, does he not know a thing about golf and feels this is the way he's supposed to dress?

Recently, I was invited by my brother-in-law to play in a golf tournament. Unfortunately, it was on a Friday during the week my boss was on vacation and having the two of us out on the same day simply doesn't work. So, despite exhausting every available option, I had to take a pass.

But what struck me funny about this is, my brother-in-law is not a golfer. He doesn't play regularly. He doesn't play on occasion. As far as I know, he has rarely played golf in his life. So why the interest to play in golf tournaments? My guess is, it has just about nothing to do with golf.

I would have to imagine that a good part of heading to a golf tournament as a non-golfer has to do with networking. But why golf? Why network at a golf tournament when you don't play the sport? I've been to networking events that had certainly cost much less than what it costs to enter a golf tournament. Heck, I've been to several free networking events! So again, why a golf tournament?

Well, I think the simple answer is, it's more fun! Consider what goes on at a golf tournament. I've played in tournaments which, for roughly $125 or so, there is unlimited breakfast food being given out right from the start. Beer is flowing from the early hours. Various types of alcohol are being given out on several holes throughout the round. And food... oh the food!! Besides a full dinner at the end of the round, there is food out on some of the holes as well. I recall playing in one tournament where a full pig roast was happening on one of the holes!!

With all of the food, the drinks and, of course, the round of golf...doesn't this sound a whole hell of alot more fun than your average networking event?

I've been playing golf pretty regularly for a relatively long time now. I've played in a few golf tournaments and each one of them has been a good time. I've also been to a few networking events. Compared to the golf tournaments, they just seem like work. So is this why my brother-in-law chose the golf tournament, even though he doesn't golf? It makes sense to me. Hell, I'll choose a basket-weaving tournament if they're providing all day long food and drinks! Nothing against basket-weaving. I'm sure a tournament (if one exists) is completely invigorating.

I guess the point is, if you have to do something work related, you may as well make a good time of it. Play in the golf tournament, whether you're a golfer or not. You may find that you like the sport! And if not, chances are you're going to have a good time anyway!

Swing 'til you're happy!

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You'll Rue The Day You Crossed Me, Twain.

Mark Twain will go down in golf history as the one who claimed "Golf is a good walk, ruined." All summer I've been chompin' at the bit to get out and play a friggin' round of golf. I want to ruin my walk. You see, I was thrown a curve (surgery) and I dealt with that and the recovery process for the past 3 months.

What's my gripe? Well, I'm finally cleared to play on this Sunday and wouldn't you know it - f@#$in' hurricane Irene. C'mon man...I waited all summer for this. All I could think about is another of Twain's smart-ass comments. This one coming from his "The Weather" speech:

"I reverently believe that the Maker who made us all makes everything in New England but the weather. I don't know who makes that..."

Hey Twain, keep your comments to yourself! I'm not mad at M.T., he's absolutely right and that's what chaps my ass. Golfing in New England is a crap shoot and at the same time pretty interesting. Other than having probably one of the shortest seasons, the views and landscapes can be amazing. In the 6 month or so golf season, you'll actually golf through 3 seasons, spring, summer and fall.

Enough about the scenery, let's get back to the issue - this hurricane and me not golfing. I'm almost tempted to get out there early before Irene really hits us. I figure if I time it right and have the wind to my back...400 yard drives easily. Call me crazy but I'll bet a light bulb just went on for a few of you. And no, I'm not really going to do that and I would advise you don't either.

In all seriousness, if you are in the path of this storm please be safe...we want to see you out on the links again.

Hit'em long...yell FORE!!

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The Things We Do For Golf

I have a buddy whose wife doesn't let him play golf on the weekends (I know what you're thinking...and I had the same reaction). It's not like this guy loafs around Monday through Friday either - he has a full-time job! But, I try not to judge - there's always reasons for your particular situation and perhaps his is well-warranted (probably not, but I'll throw the poor guy a friggin' bone).

Anyway, to get his golf fix, this guy has to squeeze in 9-holes before work. He had mentioned that to me previously, but I didn't understand the gravity of the situation until I actually played with him one day. We had to tee off at 6:30AM so he could be at work by 9. On top of that, the course was 20 minutes from my house, which means I had to be up at 5:30AM to get myself dressed, grab some breakfast and get there on time.

Five-thirty in the morning. Some of you may think I'm a wimp, but realize I'm also part of Generation X. I don't think we've ever gotten up at 5:30 in the morning...for anything. My great uncle would get up at 5:30AM every day - this was his routine ever since returning home from WWII. But me? There's a reason they say "rise and shine" and if the sun ain't up yet, neither am I.

But there I was, driving to the course still smarting about the hour. Yet, when I arrived, my buddy was as giddy as a school girl. He was so excited about playing with someone else, he was beside himself. And that got me thinking about the things we do for this game we love.

Everyday, golfers everywhere are moving things around on their calendars to make room for golf. Doctors are rescheduling surgeries appointments to make their tee-times; lawyers are cramming into the course parking lot the second court adjourns for the day; and the average Joe...he too is manuvering around his personal life's responsibilities...just to play the game he loves.

Last year, I posted about how softball was ruining my golf swing. In that post, I declared I was no longer going to worry about what other "swinging" sports will do to my golf game. But for more than a decade, I refused to play softball because I didn't want to screw up my golf swing. Think about that for a minute. I put-off having fun with my buddies in their Wednesday night softball league so I could continue hacking every weekend on the course. Where is the sense in that? But I did it because I loved golf.

What about clubs and equipment and apparel? We spend oodles. And golf gadgets? Wow. Stinky Golfer Chris and I are currently wearing a bracelet with a hologram on it in hopes of improving our balance on the course. WHY? Because we love golf.

Subscribe to any golf magazines? Ever spend money on lessons from a pro? Ever spend several minutes in Target (or Wal-Mart) trying to figure out which golf balls you should buy when your wife and child are waiting in the car and you were only supposed to be going in for a gallon of milk? We love golf.

And now perhaps the most controversial one: Have you ever spent a ton of money to play an awesome course you felt you really weren't good enough to be playing in the first place? Ah yes...You love this game. And never be ashamed of playing a top-notch course. It doesn't matter if your handicap is so high you're embarrassed to tell people - treat yourself once in a while - you deserve it.

So remember: You don't have to be good at golf to love it. Want proof? Think about all the things you do just to play it. Ah, the things we do for love golf.

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Does Golf Apparel And Equipment Fuel The "Rich Man's Sport" Stereotype?

It was at the start of a recent round that Stinky Golfer Greg and I were poking a little fun at the foursome in front us. "Hey, who do you think is winning, the red team or blue team?" I asked Greg this referring to the foursome in front of us in which two were wearing red shirts and two were in blue. Greg responded that his money was on the blue team.

This brought up further joking regarding how, several times, one member of our foursome would have to head back inside their house and change their shirt so we don't show up to the course looking like we're on a team. It's actually almost come to the point where we'll have to be on the phone with each other before our round like a couple of school girls - "What color shirt are you wearing today?" "I'm going to wear the red one so wear a different color." It's pathetic really.

But further conversation regarding our shirts lead to a simple comment regarding a common stereotype of the sport. On the subject of the shirts, Greg mentions to me that he paid only $20 or so for his moisture-wicking Champion polo. I tell him that I paid the same for the Reebok shirt I was wearing at the time. He then tells me; "If this same shirt had a Nike logo on it, it would cost $50." I agreed with him, and that led to his comment - "See, that's why some people think golf is a rich man's sport and don't take it up to begin with." I gotta say, he's got a good point.

Every golf publication, and most golf products advertised, are for the priciest apparel and products available. Think about it. When was the last time you saw a review on a new set of $150 golf clubs? When was the last time you saw a feature on the season's newest golf apparel, and in it was a $15 polo?

For further proof, I've just popped open a recent issue of Golf Magazine. Of the first ten advertisements, six of them are for golf equipment. Of the six, three of the ads are for drivers costing between $400-$500, a $700 set of clubs, a $200 fairway wood and another driver costing $300. As a matter of fact, it isn't until you are 90-plus pages in before an "affordable" set of clubs is advertised.

Do you see what I mean? What is someone new to the sport, or just getting involved supposed to do? They are bombarded with the idea that they have to pay a lot of money to play this sport. And all you have to do to for proof of this is pick up a golf magazine.

Thankfully, my buddies who got me involved in this sport years ago had steered me in the right direction. I paid $150 for my first set of golf clubs, woods included! And I carried them for twelve or thirteen years. Now that may sound ridiculous to many of you, but even more ridiculous is that I still carry one of the clubs from that set! And it's quite possibly the most consistent club in my bag!

I don't think I've ever purchased a polo specifically for golf, and I don't recall any of them having been one of those $50-$60 type. Had it not been for my buddies, I may have been one of those that was sucked in by the ads. And that makes me wonder how many golfers do get sucked in and feel they need to have that Tiger Woods or Ashworth polo. How many golfers go out buy a $600 set of irons, a $300 driver and $100 putter when they're just taking up the game and aren't even sure if they like it or not yet?

Even worse, and the real question that fuels the stereotype is, how many people never take up the game because everything they see is so damn expensive? The clubs, the apparel, the courses...everything highlighted by the golf publications (both magazines and television) is the most expensive of what's available. It makes potential players feel that if they don't spend more money, they will be using inferior equipment, wearing the wrong apparel and playing poor courses. But in reality, nothing could be further from the truth.

In my opinion, this is just another problem facing the golf industry. Not only is there very little going on for the average hack like myself and my golfing buddies, but there is also very little for beginners. How do you expect to attract new players to the game, when you price most of them out of it right from the start?

I hope that anyone who may be new to the game is being guided by friends like mine. Because honestly, if I had to rely on the golf publications and fell victim to the "rich man's sport" stereotype, I would have quit the game long ago. And that's if I ever took it up to begin with.

Swing 'til you're happy...you can afford to if you do it right!

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Why Golf Is Aggravating.

If you really sit back and think about it, golf seems more aggravating than it was fifty years ago (not that I was around fifty years ago but...). I mean with the advancement in technology and the overall progression of the game, shouldn't we be better golfers? We should be...but for some reason the majority of us still stink.

Interesting isn't it? We still dominate the demographic as average golfers and all the while there are so many golf improvement gadgets, videos and what not that supposedly make us better players. Now, if we all improved our game, that would still make us average.

Not to get all Sigmund Freud-ish but, if we all lower our scores that would change the national average from 100 (more or less) to 90 or 80 for example. And if the majority scores a 90 or 80 that would make it the national average - therefore grouping us back into the average golfer category all the while trying to improve our game.

Can you see why it's frustrating? We bust our friggin' ass to be better golfers only to be...average. Fifty years ago golfers were shooting the same scores as they are today even without all those golf gadgets we have now. Hmmmmm...sounds like a racket. Golf stinks but man I love this game.

Hit'em long...yell FORE!!!

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The Best Swing Advice I've Ever Received

One of the things this blog prides itself on is NOT telling you how to improve your game. Sure, we may highlight a product or two that we feel is useful (like those neat pocket guides from Golf Genie). But what you won't find is us telling you how to fix that hitch in your swing or how high to tee-up your ball...that's just not us.

That being said, about nine months ago I wrote a post entitled; "I Get My Swing Advice from a Guy who Doesn't Golf." The book (Golf Sense - Practical Tips On How To Play Golf In The Zone) inspired me to proclaim the following:

"Golf Sense is packed with simple ways to put you in (and keep you in) a calm and relaxed state of mind on the course (which will translate into a more relaxed swing, and subsequently lower scores)...my plan is to put [the] book to the test. Beginning in the new year, I am going to practice a few of the exercises at home. Then, once the weather gets warmer, I will move to the range and finally to the course. I'll post sometime next season about how I'm progressing."

I wrote the previous statements with all the gusto one has in the early off-season - you know, that "I can't wait to get back out there next spring" feeling. Well, an unusually long offseason (more than six months passed before I stepped out on the course again) threw me off my normal routine a bit. And when I finally did resume hacking up courses, my drive to test out some of the techniques in the book had passed.

Not to treat the book like an old girlfriend, but...it wasn't the book; it was me. Two things had happened in those six months: First, I had never missed playing in April and by May, I was putting pressure on myself to get back out there as quickly as possible. The second thing was...well, it was another book I had read (ok, maybe this is sounding a bit like a breakup).

The other book (Little Balls Big Dreams) is a novel about an average golfer who, after hitting a hole-in-one, starts playing scratch golf. Anyway, there's a chapter in the book where he attends this golf school that mentally prepares up-and-comers for the tour. In a passage at the beginning of that chapter, the group is being taught how much time it really takes to play a round of golf:

"It takes only two seconds to execute the average golf swing. 'Bout a second for the back swing and another for the downswing and follow through...Say you shoot a 70. 70 times two seconds equals 140 seconds...I'm going to teach you boys how to make the best of those 140 seconds. Take charge of them. And how to use the other three hours, fifty-seven minutes and forty seconds to channel your energy [so you can] focus your attention on those two minutes and twenty seconds."

Of all the swing advice I've been given; all that I have read - over 20 years worth...nothing has stuck with me as much as that previous passage. It just makes sense. You can do whatever you want during the rest of the round (BS with your buddies; take-in the scenery; ponder the type of beer you'll have in the 19th-hole...whatever). But for those two minutes and 20 seconds (or in my case, 3 minutes and 6 seconds) focus on nothing else but making the perfect golf shot.

And that's what I have tried to do on each and every shot this season - focus on the three minutes and six seconds that count. Hey, if I was willing to take golf advice from a guy who doesn't golf, why not take it from a fictional novel?

So, has it worked?

Simply put...Yes. Am I a scratch golfer? No. But for not golfing all that much this year, I have been playing much better than I expected. My scores are a full two-strokes down from last season and I've been hitting better shots overall. I can be BS-ing right up to the point where I take my stance. And then I try to clear my mind, focus on the shot I want to make and swing. Those are my two seconds.

Interestingly, it's not always easy to remember I should be focusing right before my swing - and when I don't, I tend to mis-hit my shot. Once I start focusing again though, my results improve. Perhaps many of you do this already, but it didn't register for me until I read the passage above.

Nothing against "Golf Sense" - it's a good book and in fact, it basically conveys much of the same advice (albeit in a more complex way). Perhaps I'll re-read it again in the future. But for now, I'm sticking with the best swing advice I've ever received.

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The Other Golf Holes We Want To Play

The 7th at Pebble Beach. It's definitely one of the most recognizable holes in golf. Any major golf publication has emblazoned this image into the minds of its readers. Every golfer, stinky or not, would like to play this hole at least once in their golfing lives...hopefully more.

Along with this hole are a few of the others which the golfing media has spotlighted as "legendary." Holes such as the 17th at The Old Course, the 13th at Augusta or the 17th at Sawgrass. All of these holes are famous for one reason or another, and all are holes we want to play someday.

But maybe I look at this a little differently. Don't get me wrong, I would love to play all of these holes. But the way I see it, some of these holes simply have something intangible attached to them rather than actually being a "cool golf hole." The Old Course for instance; I've never played it (would love to though!), but seeing it on TV...I don't find it to be particularly attractive. But I also understand, that's not why people want to play it.

Similar to the Old Course is the 13th at Augusta. While it's a very pretty hole and it, again, has that historical significance, in then end.., it's just a pretty hole.

When I think of some holes I would like to play, I think of the holes I mentioned earlier and a few more that many may or may not be on the list of most golfers. For instance:

This is a hole that's gotten a lot of attention over the past year or so. It's the 19th hole at South Africa's Legend Golf & Safari Resort. While it's more of a gimmick hole, I don't care. It's quite possibly the most unique golf hole on the planet. The green, shaped like the continent on which it lies, is best viewed from the tee box area, which just so happens be located on a cliff, 1,400 feet above. I know what you're thinking - "Who the hell wants to walk all the way up there?" Well, fret not friends...the helicopter ride up and down is included in your $220 greens fee. Now that's cool.

But maybe you're afraid of heights. Maybe you don't like helicopters. Maybe you'd just rather hit at one of those cool-shaped greens from a "normal" tee box. Well, check out this shapely green at Washington's Apple Tree Resort:

Yeah, it's gimmicky also. It's a large island green. It's an apple. But you have to admit...it's pretty cool. I don't believe it's of any historical significance, and I'm sure the only story behind it is to pay tribute to the apple growing regions of Washington, from where 58% of commercially grown apples in the U.S. come. But again, that's not what matters. What matters here is that it's a cool hole to play.

But another hole that's pretty high up on my list resides in the golfing mecca that is...Idaho, home to the Coeur d'Alene Resort Golf Course.

Now, island greens just don't have the same allure to me that they used to. I live not more than 20 minutes from a pretty average course which features an island green. So seeing that an average course in the area can pull it off, the idea of an island green has lost some of its luster in my mind. Maybe that's part of the reason why I really like the island at Apple Tree mentioned above. But here at Coeur d'Alene, this island green ain't just another island green:

Nope, this is the world's only floating island green. And when they say island, they mean island. See that boat slip to the right? There ain't no land bridge here, friends. But wait, there's more. This par-3 averages 147 yards. I say "averages" because, get this (if you don't already know), the island moves! Everyday, the computer controlled island is in a different place! One day the hole can play 95 yards. Play it again the following day, and it may be 200! Now that...is a cool hole.

It's one of the things I love about this sport - the variety. While the same courses, year after year, magazine issue after magazine issue, are drilled into our heads, there are so many great courses and great holes out there just waiting to be played. Some of them may not be on the Top 100. But that doesn't make these hidden gems any less great. It's just up to us to get out and play them.

So maybe the next golf trip you plan could or should be somewhere other than Florida or Myrtle Beach. Maybe places like Idaho and Washington (among many others) are worth a look. If variety is the spice of life, then it certainly should be the spice of your golfing life as well.

Swing 'til you're happy!

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Golfstinks' Most Hilarious Blog Posts of ALL TIME

Believe it or not, it will be two years this Sunday that the Golf Stinks Blog launched into a profusion of snarky editorials and hilarious observations about the golf industry, the PGA Tour and the mainstream sports media that cover this fine game.

So get your party hats on because in celebration of dos a�os de diversi�n loca, we're re-posting our top 5 knee-slapers of all time - those LMFAO gems that golfers of all skill levels can enjoy!

So without further adieu...

Number 5

Me, Swing Advice and a Nervous Breakdown - Back in 2010, an extremely overwhelming issue of Golf Magazine convinces Stinky Golfer Greg that swing tips on the printed page make about as much sense as wearing waders in the desert. He wants to know what ever happened to good old fashioned lessons from your pro?

Number 4

Attention Public Golf Courses: Make Room for Judge Smails - After reading a study that reveals private courses are changing over to public courses more frequently due to the economy, Stinky Golfer Greg decides to acquaint his hoity-toity golfing brethren with muni course etiquette.

Number 3

Golf Gadgets; WTF? (Part 1) - In part 1 of this 2-part series, Stinky Golfer Pete takes a jeering look at the ridiculousness of golf training aids.

Number 2

Ten Sure-Fire Signs You're In for a Long Afternoon on the Golf Course - While just walking from the clubhouse to the first tee, Stinky Golfer Greg provides tell-tale observations that should make you think twice about teeing off that day!

Number 1

Golf and A Wife: A Tale of Three Women In One (Part 3) - What happens when one day, your non-golfing spouse asks to join you on the links? As Stinky Golfer Chris' worst golf nightmare nearly comes true, he remains calm, cool and collected while adverting what would have been certain disaster.




Well, wasn't that a good way to help celebrate our 2nd birthday?

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Golf's Troubled Past

Who knew that golf was once a banned sport? Apparently, back in the day the Scottish brass thought it conflicted with archery lessons and didn't allow anyone to play on Sundays due to military training.

Well, I guess driving balls at the invading English is not quite as effective as arrows. Although some of the courses I've been on definitely required a helmet and flak jacket...see: Mortar Range.

A quick look back at golf's history shows that in 1457, James II of Scotland banned golf for the reason mentioned above. His son James III continued the ban in 1470, as does his son James IV in 1491. It wasn't until 1502 when England and Scotland ended their beef (did they ever really?) that the ban was lifted.

Now, what's really interesting is that a few years before the ban was lifted something else was going on in Scotland - whisky. That's right...whisky. Actually, in 1494 there is the first written record of it. Through my deductive reasoning I found that; golfers that are banned from golf are not happy. Whisky makes them happy. Therefore golfers banned from golf invent and drink whisky to be happy.

Who knows though, chances are those zany Scots could have been bogarting grandpa's ol' cough medicine recipe for years and it wasn't until some pissed off golfer (probably drunk) decided to let the world in on their little secret. And I thought this noble game had a proper up-bringing.

Hit'em long...yell FORE!!!

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Tiger's Back...And The Media Sure Is Letting Us Know About It!

So it looks like Tiger finally put an end to that 20 tournament losing streak. He wrapped up the WGC-Bridgestone, like he has so many times before. The longest winless streak of his career is over.

Now maybe he can just get back to his normal routine and just go back to being the same player he always...What? What do you mean he didn't win? I saw him on every sports news show on TV. I saw Tiger on ESPN constantly! He must have won!

Adam Scott you say? Well I knew he was playing well, but he couldn't possibly have beaten Tiger. 17 under?! He finished 18 strokes better than Tiger?! Well then, what the hell was I watching?!

Nope, my eyes and ears did not deceive me. Tiger was never really in the hunt after Day 1, but that doesn't stop the sports media. Rather than focusing on the guy who led the tournament from start to finish, we're focused on the guy who, after the first day, was never closer than six strokes back. Rather than pay attention to the guys who finished tied for 2nd (each shooting a final round 66), we're worried about the guy who only broke 70 once in the four rounds.

I get on the PGA's case for failing to properly promote its players on the tour. But I guess that's only part of the problem. Just as much of the problem, if not more, is the media. No matter what happens (on the course anyway) the media just can't get enough of Tiger. It's been 21 straight winless tournaments, but the media acts like it's just the opposite. Once again, it's "Tiger, Tiger, Tiger....oh, and by the way, blah blah blah won."

Need an example? Friday night, I tuned into Sportscenter. Before they even showed the results of the second round, there was an entire segment on Tiger's second round struggles, even though he was only three strokes off the day before. A few segments of the show later, we get to the actual highlights of the round. Here, we see a few more strokes and reactions from Tiger before we get to see anyone who is actually in contention. Need further proof? Check out this clip

Still leading off with Tiger. We have to wait through three of Tiger's putts before we hear about the guy who won. And there's barely even a mention of either Luke Donald or Rickie Fowler, who finished tied for second. And people wonder why the sport is in the shape it's in...

So here's a bit of a plea to the mainstream media - do the sport a favor and start focusing on some of the other great players on the tour. Please realize that, until he shows otherwise, Tiger is no longer the elite player he was. Until he shows otherwise, he is a middle-of-the-pack player. OK, benefit of the doubt due to his accomplishments...he's still a top-tier player. But he is NOT the Tiger of years past. And until the time comes that he does show otherwise, why not take the time to introduce us to, and promote the other great, young talent on the tour. It can do nothing but help the sport as a whole.

Swing 'til you're happy!

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Golf, Fishing And Brewing Beer

So far this summer has been a wash for me as far as golf goes. Some of you know that I've been recovering from heart surgery and with that comes very little physical activity.

It's been a couple months since the actual surgery and the doc's have cleared me for light physical activity. Even though golf isn't that demanding, a healing sternum impedes your swing and rules out a quick 9.

What to do, what to do...how about fishing? For smaller fish obviously, nothing that'll pull me in. Believe it or not, the whole time I was fishing I thought about golf and how the two are similar. For example, a good golf swing definitely helps in striking a ball well. As does a good cast. If Skippy over there can't cast well, there's a good chance someone's getting hooked. Just like when I tee off...there's a good chance you'll have to duck.

I have to say, the biggest similarity between the two would be they both end up pissing me off. I flub, shank and hook shots all day. I snap a line, barely get any bites and the ones that do bite get away. Oh yeah, lots of fun. Just thinking about it raises my blood pressure. Where's my beta blockers? Maybe these "relaxing" activities aren't as heart-healthy as I thought.

That said, it leaves one last activity...brewing my own beer. I have found that as I consume beer, it lowers the stress and anger levels that golf (and fishing) might bring. Therefore, I brewed my own beer for three reasons. 1) It's beer 2) golf and beer just go together and 3) it helps me cope with my golf game. Now that I have stocked-up on my own home brew, I am ready to hit the links once the doc gives the thumbs up. Isn't golf great?

Hit'em long...yell FORE!!!

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Golfing In The Tropics...At The Wrong Time of Year

A few months back, my wife told me she was planning a vacation for us along with another couple. This being our first "real" vacation since our honeymoon, I was excited to go! Besides the obvious "Where are we going?" only two other questions remained for me.

After learning of our destination, Key West, the first question that came to mind was "Is there a golf course there?" The second question, "Does the guy we're going with play?" Lucky for me, the answers to both questions were "yes."

So my only real concern with this vacation was the time of year. It's July. In the Florida Keys. It's going to be hot. It's going to be humid. All signs point to discomfort. But I guess I didn't much consider the effect of the weather on the golf course itself. Maybe I was fooled by all of those beautiful pictures of tropical golf courses. The bright, cloudless skies. The crystal blue ocean waters. The lush green grass. Well, I guess two out of three ain't bad. Excited to head to the Key West Golf Club, America's southernmost golf course, those aforementioned visions were dancing in my head. But man was I in for a let-down.

I should have known when we called the day before to make a tee-time and everything from 11:30 on was available, that it was going to be rough one. Now don't get me wrong, I don't blame the course or its employees. I suppose at this time of year, with non-stop sun baking the grass and temperatures consistently in the 90's (with a heat index regularly approaching 110), course maintenance can't be easy. But outside of the tee boxes and greens (which were in nice shape), there was an incredible amount of brown on this course. It makes me wonder about other tropical courses. Are the conditions similar at this time of year? Did I just pick the wrong time of year to play a tropical course?

Now, it's not that I so much mind some brown patches on the course. As I said, with the weather and temps being what they are, I can understand the challenges in keeping this course green. But the grass in the rough (where I tend to spend a lot of time) was so dry and hard that it was having a seriously negative effect on our swings. Quite simply, the game just became much more difficult than it already is. Combine that with the heat and humidity and the back nine (well, the front nine for the second time because the actual back nine was closed) was just overbearing.

So with all this in mind, if I do return to Key West in the future, it will certainly be at a different time of year. I'd like to play this course again as I did find it to be fun all around. Some of the scenery wasn't all that great as a few holes run parallel to Route 1. But some others were quite pretty, with the palm trees sprouting throughout the course, ponds aplenty and the tropical wildlife including the iguanas, herons and various other tropical birds and ducks.

But again I ask, was I in the right place at the wrong time? Did I head to a beautiful part of the country at a bad time of year? Are other tropical courses in less than perfect shape during the summer?

Well, no matter the weather or course conditions, I guess the whole situation was summed up by my playing partner Chris, when he said "Hey, we're playing golf in Key West. How many people do you know that can say that right now."

He was right.

Swing 'til you're happy!

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Variations on the Game of Golf - Ladder Golf

Rather than hitting the links this past saturday, I instead played another type of golf...Ladder Golf.

Our co-founder, Stinky Golfer Tom had his annual summer party this past weekend and to go along with a few burgers, dogs and brews, there were your typical summer backyard games to partake in as well: Bocce, horseshoes, and Ladder Golf. Wait, what?

Yep, Ladder Golf. Never heard of it? No worries, neither had I. But there I was, tossing golf balls on a rope towards this ladder thingy...and the more I drank, the better I played.

The game is relatively new (early 1990's) and is believed to have originated from the camping scene. According to Wikipedia; "The game is played by throwing a bola of two golf balls connected with a rope at a ladder type structure. The top rung is worth 3 points, the middle rung is worth 2 points and the bottom rung is worth 1 point, with the goal of the game being to get exactly (and not over) 21 points."

The all-knowing online encyclopedia goes on to say it may have originated earlier than two decades ago - tracing possible roots back to cowboys who would toss live snakes at fences. Now that's a ballsy game (minus the [golf] balls).

Anyway, as much fun as the game is, it really has nothing to do with golf (save for the whole golf balls on a rope deal). That being said, perhaps this is a good opportunity to re-hash some of our previous posts about "real" variations on the game of golf.

It all began back in January of last year, when Stinky Golfer Chris (who's relaxing on a tropical island on a much-deserved vacation this week...bastard) penned a post about Mini Golf. That was followed-up by four more installments (see all below). Enjoy!

Related Posts:
Variations on the Game of Golf - Mini Golf
Variations on the Game of Golf - Disk Golf
Variations on the Game of Golf - Adirondack Golf
Variations on the Game of Golf - Speed Golf
Variations on the Game of Golf - Project Flogton

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